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Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Studio Visits: Chris Valkov

Earlier this year, AM got to visit Chris Valkov in his studio as he prepared for his upcoming solo exhibition entitled Schematical Sabbatical. The Portland based artist uses a highly stylised aesthetic in his work, using a variety of mediums all derived from his background as an architectural draughtsman.  On initial inspection, his fluid line-work looks so tight that it could be mistaken for digitally created screen prints. Valkov is strictly old school though in his methodologies and his precise work is painted with One […]

Openings: “FOLKLORE” curated by Evan Hecox @ Joshua Liner Gallery

Ever had a catchy summer song get stuck in your head? Imagine an art show like that. New York’s Joshua Liner Gallery & artist Even Hecox recently curated a show that was hard to forget. Entitled FOLKLORE, this exhibition pulled together a talented group such as Andrew Paynter, Andy Jenkins, Andy Mueller, Benjamin Deberdt, Cody Hudson, Ed Templeton, Evan Hecox, Geoff McFetridge, Jay Nelson, Nathaniel Russell, Nigel Peake, Peter Sutherland, Serena Mitnik-Miller, Stephen “ESPO” Powers, Stevie Gee and Thomas Campbell to showcase their talents. Check out a […]

Openings: Steve More – ‘Subtraction’ @ Unruly Gallery

Edinburgh based Steve More recently opened his solo exhibition entitled Subtraction at Amsterdam’s Unruly Gallery. More’s abstract work in his Syntax series, which has been developing over the last couple of years, takes centre stage for this exhibition of new work, and his creative process of applying and subsequently revealing layers presents a level of chaos in the background of his very controlled reductive technique. The clean geometric lines carved into the surface of the artwork present a beautiful symmetry and the perfect foil to the random nature […]

Patrick Martinez for Playboy

Los Angeles-based artist Patrick Martinez was recently asked to work on a project for Playboy’s App. Taking his signature neon work and his urban aesthetic, he built four sets for Miss May 2010 Playmate Kassie Logsdon to interact with. Take a look at some stills and the video below, shot by photographer Jared Ryder, as the creative process was throughly explained by Martinez and footage from the shoot is revealed. Discuss Patrick Martinez here.

Preview: Tauba Auerbach @ STANDARD (OSLO)

American artist Tauba Auerbach is opening a solo show on Friday, August 30 at STANDARD (OSLO), Norway. After recently exhibiting in Brussel, Malmö, and Bergen, the artist is showing in Europe again. This is her third solo exhibition at STANDARD (OSLO) as a part of their ongoing program of cultural exchange between Norwegian and international artists. The new body of work includes new sculptures and paintings in which the artist is experimenting and playing with patterns, textures and dimensions, constantly testing and pushing the limitations of […]

Streets: KAWS @ BAM (Brooklyn)

The artist that took MTV’s Video Music Awards by storm (covered) is back in the streets of Brooklyn! Well, sorta. Before launching himself into the world of fine art and working with prestigious galleries such as Galerie Perrotin (here & here) and Honor Fraser (here & here), KAWS got started in the 90’s leaving his mark on NYC’s urban landscape with his signature graffiti tags and ad interventions. Now, he makes a prominent return outdoors with a fresh new mural coming up in Downtown Brooklyn, across […]

Streets: Cleon Peterson (Los Angeles)

Last weekend, Cleon Peterson took on a large scale mural in downtown Los Angeles. Coming off a great summer exhibition across the pond at London’s The Outsiders’ Soho gallery, Cleon kept his acerbic and raw edge as he composed a hard hitting piece featuring his signature “Brinksmen.” Created over the span of two days, the wall was painted with a bloody looking color scheme making it a fresh eye-catcher for the people of LA. Check out a detailed look below… Photos credit: @zagnutz Discuss Cleon Peterson here.

Preview: “Buddy System Invitational” @ Breeze Block Gallery

On September 5th, the Breeze Block Gallery in Portland will be opening a group exhibition (curated by Sven Davis) with an interesting premise. Each of the 22 invited international artists were asked to bring along a fellow artist to exhibit alongside them – each producing one 16 x 20″ & one 8 x 8″ artwork. Of course, what we will be looking forward to is also to see how the show will be installed but check out some preview images below (and one of Scott Listfield’s […]

Openings: Mario Wagner – “Controlled Spaces” @ Breeze Block Gallery

Last month, the Breeze Block Gallery hosted new work from the Bay Area-based Mario Wagner collectively entitled Controlled Spaces. Filling the main space of the Portland Gallery, the new mixed media pieces feature Wagner’s structural landscapes that have a kind of sci-fi and cinematic feel to them, all utilizing a minimalistic palette. From UFO’s, otherworldly imagery, to hooded characters, the work really makes the viewer’s imagination run wild trying to imagine the back stories to the scenarios that are presented. Enjoy the photos below and also take a look […]

Rewind: Aug 19 – Aug 25

It’s time for another Rewind feature where we bring to you some of the videos that caught our eye recently. First up is a artist focus where the Arbor Collective visits Dave Kinsey at his home studio in the Western slopes of the Sierras where we get glimpses of his workspace and paintings. Also overlaid is an insightful interview where he touches on his upbringing, being out on the streets doing street art & graffiti, his use of the color orange, the impact of the internet, the […]